Adrian Ridge Named Executive Vice President Operations & Manufacturing for Nikkiso Clean Energy and Industrial Gases Group

TEMECULA, Calif., Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nikkiso Cryogenic Industries' Clean Energy & Industrial Gases Group ("Group"), a part of the Nikkiso Co., Ltd (Japan) group of companies, is pleased to announce that Adrian Ridge has been named Executive Vice President, Operations &Manufacturing.

Adrian is a seasoned international executive with 30 years of experience with Atlas Copco in various leadership roles ranging from Service Management, Product Marketing Management, General Management and Global President of both Service and Prime equipment divisions. He is a Mechanical Engineer with an MBA in international Business.

Having global responsibility for more than 20 years and being based in the UK, Ireland, Japan, Spain and Belgium, he brings a deep understanding of the challenges the Group will face as they continue to grow their international footprint. In this role Adrian will lead global operations, directing the Group's Functional Unit Presidents and General Managers to further develop and enhance their global manufacturing strategy and operational excellence management system. He will also focus on the customer experience, supply chain management, quality assurance and support of the Group's global initiatives.

"Adrian is passionate about developing operations that deliver a "superior customer experience'," according to Peter Wagner, CEO of Nikkiso CE&IG. "He is looking forward to joining CE&IG's mission "to provide innovative equipment, technologies and services through our global group of companies to help our customers make a difference!'"

He will be based in Belgium and travel extensively to the Group's key global operating locations. With this addition, Nikkiso continues their commitment to be both a global and local presence for their customers.

ABOUT CRYOGENIC INDUSTRIES
Cryogenic Industries, Inc. (now a member of Nikkiso Co., Ltd.) member companies manufacture, and service engineered cryogenic gas processing equipment (pumps, turboexpanders, heat exchangers, etc.), and process plants for Industrial Gases, Natural gas Liquefaction (LNG), Hydrogen Liquefaction (LH2) and Organic Rankine Cycle for Waste Heat Recovery. Founded over 50 years ago, Cryogenic Industries is the parent company of ACD, Nikkiso Cryo, Nikkiso Integrated Cryogenic Solutions, Cosmodyne and Cryoquip and a commonly controlled group of approximately 20 operating entities.

For more information, please visit www.nikkisoCEIG.com and www.nikkiso.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Anna Quigley
+1.951.383.3314
aquigley@cryoind.com


Planck Raises $71M to Date to Expand its First-to-Market Cognitive Business Analytics Platform 

TEL AVIV, Israel, Sept. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Planck, a leading AI–powered data and analytics platform, recently closed a $23 million funding round to continue its mission of empowering commercial insurers with real–time and accurate insights. The financing, which brings the company's total to $71 million, was led by Vintage Investment Partners and all existing financial investors, including Team8, Greenfield, Arbor Ventures, Viola, 3L Capital, HDI and Nationwide, alongside private angel investors.

By partnering with Planck, commercial insurance carriers and their agents can achieve breakthrough levels of improvement in their processes and profitability by having clear, real–time views into their underwriting and business risks that are not available from standard industry data flows and typical providers. Insurers are reaping the benefits from Planck's insights to greatly improve their customer experience, operations, and bottom line.

“This round is a testament to the consistent execution of the Planck team, the trust they've gained from their customers and strong endorsement of its shareholders. Pioneering a leading solution that keeps up with dynamic market demands, coupled with their customer–centric mentality sets Planck apart from others," said Amit Frenkel, General Partner at Vintage Investment Partners. “Planck's deep domain knowledge and technical skillset enable Planck's customers to digitally transform their traditional business models to maintain their competitive edge."

The financial backing will allow Planck to act quickly on opportunities that arise in today's changing market and will specifically bolster development of additional products that complement the platform, along with continued geographic expansion. Planck recently launched solutions like its underwriting risk search engine, which solves for the shortcomings of traditional research methods, and Prospect Intelligence that helps carriers expand into new markets, reduce customer acquisition costs, and drive growth.

"Our record acceleration and the confidence of investors during this economic downturn is a strong indicator of the platform's value and necessity," said CEO and founder Elad Tsur. "We are energized to continue our journey of bringing the most advanced AI–powered insights to the financial services industry across the globe and excited to achieve the vision we are forging alongside our customers, investors and employees."

Among others, six of the top ten commercial insurance carriers in the U.S, as well as top carriers in Europe and Japan are already benefiting from Planck's offerings.

About Planck
Planck, an automated AI–powered data platform for commercial insurance, has solved the industry's long–standing need for real–time accuracy and truth. Planck enables insurers to drive service and underwriting excellence by connecting the most up–to–date insights, with just a business name and address. Global carriers, MGAs, and insurtechs leverage Planck's holistic solution for growth strategies; submission prefilling; prioritization and validation; underwriting new business; renewing existing policies; premium auditing and more. The platform makes managing risk much faster and more predictable, resulting in increased written premium while reducing loss and expense ratios.

Planck was founded by a team of relentless entrepreneurs with extensive backgrounds in insurance and technology, and has almost 100 employees globally. The company has raised $71 million to–date, led by Vintage, 3L Capital, Greenfield Partners, Arbor Ventures, Viola Fintech, Team8, Nationwide, HDI and Eight Roads.

For more information, visit www.planckdata.com.

Media Contact
Audrey Wayne
312.837.1522
Audrey.Wayne@KemperLesnik.com


USA and Russia: Pursuit of Global Hegemony

By Jan Lundius
STOCKHOLM, Sep 15 2022 - Can a pitiless, offensive war waged against a sovereign state be justified? In my opinion the answer is an unequivocal “No!”. Ukraine has the right to defend itself against Russia’s reckless and [...] Read more »